The Oak Park High School varsity football team played in their third game of the season on Sep. 6. The team defeated the Birmingham Patriots with a final score of 31-6, increasing their season record to 2-1.

The team played a beautiful game from start to finish. At the halfway point of the second quarter, Oak Park held a strong lead of 14-0 after a touchdown from the running back, senior Oliver Gonzalez.

“I think our line’s giving me everything I need, Tillman’s throwing beautiful balls and our receivers are running everything they need to do,” Gonzalez said. “Coach Webb is making beautiful calls.”

Oak Park ended off the half on a high note, going up 21-0. Backup quarterback Grayson Auzat threw a pinpoint pass to earn his first touchdown of the season.

“That’s one of the greatest joys you can experience in life,” Auzat said. “I’m proud of my team, and I’m just grateful to be playing this sport. It’s awesome.”

Late in the 4th quarter, Oak Park was losing momentum. The Patriots had just scored a full-field touchdown and they were marching towards another trip to the end zone. When it looked like the Patriots had a chance to make it competitive again, senior Tyler Kang shut it down with a crucial interception.

“I read their audible, their quarterback and their receiver that was lined up on me made a little hand signal before the play, and our coaches just prepared me to be ready for that,” Kang said. “As soon as I see that hand signal I know what’s coming. It’s just all our coaches’ preparation.”

The game ended to the cheers of fans and the Eagle’s call being played over the loudspeaker. 

“It was a great win man, good day to be an Eagle,” head coach Casey Webb said. “We played hard, we fought and I’m happy for these guys, they deserved the win.”

Support the Eagles at their next game against Taft on Sep. 13.